In short: Beautiful course, good atmos, it's not always about medals and goody bags y'knowIn full: I really liked this course, it was picturesque and mostly flat with, as other people have said, only the one pretty big hill at the 8K point (3K on the 5K course).

At the start line, it was a bit difficult to hear the warm-up but it was ok. There was a fairly fast start (although I was quite close to the front so maybe other people found it slower?) and right away we were into vast countryside with wildlife around us. There was only a little bit of mud along the 10K course that I saw, not bad at all.

The run was great and I definitely liked the change from running Sefton Park where the majority of the races I run are held. I enjoyed getting a mince pie afterwards, I liked seeing all the animals (the elephants and otters were out and about in their enclosures and I saw one giraffe in it's 'house'), it was a very welcoming non-elitist atmosphere, I bought a t-shirt and didn't mind that I had to pay and not get it free and I thought the kit bag was cool (actually saw a lot of them at the Santa Dash a week later so obviously more useful than some people thought). This was a race to raise money for a lifeboat appeal, we're in the midst of recession people aren't in a position to give as much as maybe they were last year so it's in pretty poor spirit to criticise the lack of goody bag and medal in a charity run that doesn't charge as much as some other events. Pre-entry and pre-race info stated clearly why the RNLI is not in a position to offer these so if you really are that driven by those rewards, maybe this isn't the race for you.

Although I wasn't able to take advantage of the free safari park entry (I don't drive), I thought that was great as an incentive. I'll definitely do this race again and I hope to see loads of other people doing it too!

One other note about the antlers, someone suggested that they be plastic so they don't go soggy in the rain; whose going to fund that? Cardboard breaks down so is less harmful to the environment and if you really want more durable antlers, do as other people did and buy your own. You can reuse them if you do the race every year and the RNLI will not have to put the entry fee up to cover the cost of plastic antlers.Date of review: December 7, 2009

In short: Beautiful course, loved getting to see the animals at the Safari Park too! In full: Shame it was a bit short on the day (about 450m) but these things happen. Lovely festive atmosphere, great warm up and a fun walk for the kids to do. Great family day out for a good cause - see you next year I hope! Date of review: December 3, 2009

In short: Fun and beginner friendly, but your PB's don't count!!In full: A fun atmosphere. Friendly, helpful marshals. Enjoyed the day and a bargain too with a free trip around the safari park afterwards, plus hot chocolate and a mince pie.Lots of 1st timers or infrequent runners taking part, so a medal is always a nice touch... maybe next year?? There was an RNLI drawstring bag for finishing, not sure what to use it for, lol. I would have preferred the medal personally.The main problem, and someone already mentioned it, all your hard earned PB's don't count, the course was short by about 650m or 0.4miles. It is a fairly quick course, my early pace was good over good ground, with only 1 real climb for several hundred meters around the "8km" mark.No finishing times or placings, so that edges closer to fun run, so the short course is maybe less noticable. I just took it as a fun training run, although I would have been close to a PB, I will never know now.A few things to work on for next year and the race will be a real gem.Date of review: November 29, 2009

In full: great race but it was short of of the full 10k distane,my gps had a reading off 5.80 miles at the finish line,sobody told me at the finish line that there had been a mix up in the route between 3-4k Date of review: November 29, 2009

In short: was so cold cold cold......In full: good run in a nice scenic place; well organised ; and all for a good cause; will defo do this race next year ;would nice to have a medal for our acheivment.Date of review: November 29, 2009

In short: A true fun runIn full: Liked the change to the course this year. This is a true fun run with very few elite types who can take things to seriously. I liked the run through the safari park with some really nice views. The marshals did a great job considering that some of the points that they were at were a bit isolated. Those taking part really got into the spirit of things especially the three reindeers who sang all the way around. This is a fun run with limited prizes and long may it stay so. Although a boot bag a free trip around the safari park plus 20% future visits not that bad for a 10k run Date of review: November 29, 2009

In short: Really enjoyed my first 10k and made up with my time sub 54mins In full: Had to pull out of a 10k earlier this year due to an ankle injury so really looking forward to today. Was absolutely freezing and pretty rainy before the start, but ok when we got going. Really enjoyed it and the hot chocolate and mince pie lovely at the end. Good cause and defo do it again next yearDate of review: November 29, 2009